Can a bluebird box be made house sparrow proof?.
Although extensive field testing has been done by bluebirders across North America, no one has yet to discover a way to prevent House Sparrows from using bluebird boxes. To reduce the problem of House Sparrow use, locate bluebird nest boxes away farm building, areas where animals and livestock are fed, out buildings such as sheds, and away from towns. Some trail operators have found mounting the box 4 to 5 feet above the ground may also discourage the house sparrow. However again we must mention that nest boxes mounted that low become a risk by ground predators. Thin-wall PVC boxes appear to be less attractive to the house sparrow, especially if they are paired with a standard wooden bluebird box. It is also critically important to remove house sparrow nests from bluebird boxes. There are several styles of live traps that can be used to help reduce local house sparrow populations. One design allows to trap the sparrow from the nest box itself. Traps should be checked regularly to relea
